FDA decides that High Fructose Corn Syrup is not Corn Sugar

In a bold decision to not publicly defy that which is logic, the FDA decided to deny the request by the Corn Refiner’s Association to rename high-fructose corn syrup “corn sugar”, the reason being that by definition HFCS is a syrup and not a sugar substance. Sugar is defined as a solid, dried, and crystallized food product according to the FDA. Kudos to them for letting this sugar-on-crack keep its original name.

Simultaneously, the California Right to Know initiative is working to label genetically modified ingredients on grocery-store shelves. If national demand for labeling of genetically modified ingredients persists as fervently as it has over the past few years, companies that sell high-fructose corn syrup may have to also label their product as including genetically modified ingredients.

Consumption of high-fructose corn syrup has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and most recently to deterioration of proper brain functioning. Yikes! So much for the idea that the Corn Refiners association is trying to push that “sugar is sugar”.

Speaking of which, I wonder what will happen to those wonderfully deceptive “Sugar is Sugar” commercials that have been bombarding us through the media? Shall I suggest “high-fructose corn syrup is high-fructose corn syrup”? Doesn’t have the same ring to it. . .

SOURCES

Washington Post May 31, 2012 “Corn sugar? FDA says no to new name for high fructose corn syrup”

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Aha!Food is a blog dedicated to all things food: safety health, nutrition, organics, and more. Our food supply is filled with mystery ingredients, confusing labeling, and too many things hidden from the general public. Aha!Food believes in the power of spreading information about our food supply so that consumers can make more informed choices.
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